The Lies That Bind(99)

       For Allyson Wenig Jacoutot, my first New York friend.

   Here’s to our time together in the city, both before and after 9/11.





I am deeply grateful to so many for their love and support during the writing of this book.

To Mary Ann Elgin and Sarah Giffin, the most wonderful mother and sister.

To Nancy LeCroy Mohler, copyeditor and confidante extraordinaire.

To Kate Hardie Patterson, my amazing assistant and friend.

To Stephen Lee, my right-hand man since day one.

To my perceptive and patient early readers: Alex Elgin, Laryn Ivy Gardner, Bryan Lamb, and Julie Wilson Portera.

To my brilliant editor, Jennifer Hershey, along with everyone at Penguin Random House, including Gina Centrello, Kara Welsh, Susan Corcoran, Jennifer Garza, Kim Hovey, Scott Shannon, Matt Schwartz, Theresa Zoro, Allyson Lord, Maya Franson, Leigh Marchant, Debbie Aroff, Colleen Nuccio, Madison Dettlinger, Denise Cronin, Toby Ernst, Paolo Pepe, Loren Noveck, Elizabeth Rendfleisch, Erin Kane, Cynthia Lasky, and Allyson Pearl.

To my remarkable rock of an agent, Theresa Park, as well as the incomparable Emily Sweet. Also to Andrea Mai, Abby Koons, Mollie Smith, Rich Green, Scott Schwimer, and everyone at Park Literary.

    To my family and friends, especially Jennifer New, Ally Jacoutot, Lisa Ponder, Doug Elgin, Steve Fallon, Jeff MacFarland, Martha Arias, Kevin Garnett, Brian Spainhour, Michelle Fuller, Sloane Alford, Lori Baker, Jen McGurn, Katie Moss, Heather Spires, DeAnna Thomas, Lesli Gaither, Laurie Mallis, Ashley Preisinger, Lauren Flint, Mara Davis, Elizabeth Blank, Erin Gianni, Roger Frankel, Molly Smith Heussenstamm, Rachel Smith, Lea Journo, Lindsay French-Johns, Ralph Sampson, and Bill and Kris Giffin.

To my fellow writers, faithful social media followers, and cherished readers everywhere.

And finally, to Team Blaha. Buddy, Edward, George, and Harriet: I love you with all my heart.